CraftVantage’s 2026 graduate exhibition, themed “Bold Stories, Sustainable Futures”, served as a high-impact, three-day showcase of emerging Nigerian talent, integrating art, commerce, youth development, and sustainable practice.
Held from 26 to 28 May 2026 at the Wings Office Complex in Victoria Island, Lagos, the event convened a diverse audience, including collectors, business leaders, cultural stakeholders, government representatives, development organisations, media, and students.
Fostering talent and professional pathways
The exhibition spotlighted emerging artists from the Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos. Through painting, sculpture, installation, and mixed media, these artists demonstrated the exceptional calibre of talent originating from Nigeria’s higher institutions, underscoring the critical need for structured pathways into the professional art world.
Oluwayemisi “Misi” Ogunbodede, Founder of CraftVantage, emphasised the platform’s vision: “At CraftVantage, we believe talent should not exist in isolation, and that art does more than occupy space. Our mission is to bridge the gap between graduation and professional practice by providing mentorship, strategic positioning, curated platforms, funding, and long-term professional support. The support of our sponsors added valuable depth, strengthening the platform’s reach, experience, and wider contribution to Nigeria’s creative economy”.
A collaborative vision for the creative sector
The 2026 edition was realised through the support of Wings Office Complex, Providus Bank, Breeze Energy, Leadway Group, Paga, Astragrid, RefinedNG, and Maltina. Their partnership reflected a shared commitment to the creative economy as a catalyst for youth empowerment, cultural development, enterprise, social impact, and national storytelling.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
